MIAMI - Liz Cheney, one of Vice-President Dick Cheney's daughters, is joining Mitt Romney's presidential campaign
as a senior foreign policy adviser. 
Cheney most recently worked in the State Department handling Middle East affairs.
Her father and President George W. Bush have both vowed to remain neutral as their fellow Republicans battle it out for the Republican nomination.
But Liz Cheney's endorsement is likely to be well received among conservatives who comprise a critical primary voting bloc in both Florida, which votes Tuesday, and the 20-odd states voting on February 5.
Romney also enjoys the support of aides with ties to the Bush family, including top assistants to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and former president George H.W. Bush.
The 41-year-old Liz Cheney is the elder of Dick and Lynne Cheney's two daughters.
Her younger sister, Mary, has been more prominently in the public eye after revealing she is a lesbian and having a son last year with her partner, despite the administration's opposition to gay marriage.
Liz Cheney, the mother of five children, said in a statement: "Throughout his campaign, (Romney) has distinguished himself as a leader who can guide our country with a clear vision for overcoming the threats we face today. ... I look forward to working with Governor Romney because he is the leader our country needs."
Romney said Liz Cheney brings the campaign "years of experience helping to formulate America's foreign policy and to advance democracy and reform in the Middle East."
Liz Cheney previously supported former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson, who dropped out of the race last week
